KOLKATA: In an amazing gesture that will restore your faith in humanity, the Muslim in West Bengal’s Kharagpur has decided to give up their Muharram procession this year and donate that money towards the treatment of a Hindu neighbour who is battling cancer.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Samaj Sangha Club in Kharagpur’s Puratan Bazar which organises Muharram procession raises around Rs 50,000 but has decided to redirect the money towards Abir Bhunia .
35-year-old Abir, a mobile recharge shop owner is suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. He needs Rs 12 lakh for a treatment that includes bone marrow transplantation.
Amjad Khan, secretary of Samaj Sangha, told Hindustan Times, “Muharram processions can be organised every year. But we have to save the life first.”
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Extremely overwhelmed with the love and support from his Muslim brothers, Bhunia told HT, “I don’t know whether I will be cured finally. But what my neighbours did for me have touched my heart.”
But this isn’t the first time the Muslim community sets examples of communal harmony in Bengal.
Tushar Chowdhury, local councillor from Trinamool Congress lauded the gesture and revealed that the Muslim Community has raised money to build a gate for a temple for goddess Sitala.